Apparatus for removal of condensation from a marine gas exploder device

Abstract

Condensate accumulating in the combustion chamber of a marine gas exploder of the cylinder and piston type is collected by gravity flow in a sump formed in a cylinder side wall or in a face of the piston, depending upon whether the cylinder is oriented horizontally or vertically. One end of an exhaust tube is positioned adjacent the base of the sump so that gaseous combustion products flow through the sump into the exhaust tube so as to collect and remove the accumulated condensate.

We claim: 
     
       1. In a marine gas exploder having a combustion chamber formed within a vertically extending enclosed cylinder above a movable piston, said combustion chamber being charged with an explosive gas mixture adapted on ignition to produce gaseous and liquid combustion products, the improvement comprising: a. a sump formed within a face of said piston communicating with said combustion chamber and adapted to collect said liquid combustion products therein by gravity flow and   b. an exhaust tube introduced within said combustion chamber, the lower end of said exhaust tube extending into said sump so that said gaseous combustion products flow through said sump into said lower end and said liquid combustion products are entrained therewith.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus claimed in claim 1 wherein said exhaust tube is introduced downwardly through the upper end of said cylinder into said combustion chamber. 
     
     
       3. In a gas exploder including an enclosed cylinder adapted to be submerged in water and extending in a generally horizontal direction, said cylinder having formed therein an expansible combustion chamber charged with an explosive mixture adapted on ignition to produce gaseous and liquid combustion products, the improvement comprising: a. a sump formed in the sidewall of said cylinder at the bottom of said combustion chamber and adapted to collect said liquid combustion products therein by gravity flow, and   b. an exhaust tube extending downwardly through said cylinder sidewall into said combustion chamber so that the open lower end of said exhaust tube is positioned adjacent the bottom of said sump, so that gaseous combustion products flowing into said exhaust tube pass through said sump and are thereby adapted to carry said liquid combustion products into said exhaust tube for removal thereof.   
     
     
       4. The apparatus claimed in claim 3 wherein said lower end of said tube is outwardly flared. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus claimed in claim 4 wherein the central portion of said sump is formed into a cone projecting upwardly into said lower end of said tube. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus claimed in claim 5 wherein said cone forms one end of a plug threadably secured to said cylinder sidewall. 
     
     
       7. In a gas exploder including an enclosed cylinder adapted to be submerged in water and extending in a generally horizontal direction, said cylinder having formed therein an expansible combustion chamber charged with an explosive mixture adapted on ignition to produce gaseous and liquid combustion products, the improvement comprising: a. a sump formed in the sidewall of said cylinder at the bottom of said combustion chamber and adapted to collect said liquid combustion products therein by gravity flow, and   b. an exhaust tube extending through said cylinder sidewall into communication with said sump, said tube being oriented to enable said liquid combustion products to drain directly from said sump into said tube, and so that said gaseous combustion products flowing into said exhaust tube pass through said sump and are thereby adapted to carry said liquid combustion products into said exhaust tube for removal thereof.